An Old Microwave And What To Do With It - An Electromagnet And A Phone Charger

[@johnnysparkleface3096]

In schools they have exchange students, but I like to think of Robert and Scotty Kilmer as exchange teachers between England and the USA. If I knew a fraction of knowledge that either of them have, I'd be so much better off. Thank you sir, for sharing your vast and very practical knowledge.

[@geralddillon5746]

So true

[@msdr01dmc53]

Wow that’s quite the compliment, I happen to wander into this channel while eyeballing potential projects and basic knowledge .

[@peterfenwick2540]

Nice to know you are not alone when it comes to the simple joy of playing with bits and pieces of electronics - thank you!

[@jenko701]

Your explanation of the shaded pole motor was spot on ,most people have no clue why the copper ring is there . Do an episode where you dig the ring out and the motor just sits and hums and gets hot. With out the artificial phase it can’t start. Great job.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@sparkfishes]

I always wondered how they worked and what that heavy copper wire was for. I part dismantle the iron former and use the coil and iron core to show how to generate AC using passing magnets on a bicycle wheel.

[@stevenbaiona1820]

Grate video, My granddaughter & grandson and I would just make plasma Pretty boring. So now Deconstructing is our next mission .

[@SI00000]

21:22. I think we all wanted to see the phone lighting up just as much as Robert did. Very gifted gentleman.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - cheers mate

[@SI00000]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Nice to get a personal response from the man himself. Appreciations from a regular viewer across the pond in the US.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@SI00000 no worries mate and have good one

[@sempertard]

unlike many of the multitude of tech-hacking videos, Robert actually created something useful. Bravo sir! Edit: the smile and laugh at the end by itself was worth watching this video. Subscribed.

[@olswirly]

um please make your self a swirly jacks . their even simpiler to make and use yup . enjoy makeing simple improvements yup

[@israelrobbins2743]

The way you explain everything on the laughter and enjoyment you get from simple projects to complex,i definitely subscribed. The laughter and amusement you got out of making a simple phone charger made me lmao

[@PacoOtis]

Bravo! From here in the States, good show old boy! Best of luck!

[@johnmorrison6814]

I love these videos. My Dad was a blacksmith all his life (no not just horse shoes). They were the original recyclers and I grew up with making 'things' out of other 'things' and thinking outside the rubbish bin.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

awesome mate - I love it too lol

[@elkeschmitt623]

That is just the way to be=creative. Same way with cooking.

[@chrisbraid2907]

Blacksmithing is a very versatile Art and one well worth preserving across its whole range.

[@stewartbruce2409]

While I have opened more than 15 microwaves (found on the street); many working I learned much from your tutorial. What impressed me the most is your lovely charming personality. I thank you and send all the best from New Rochelle N.Y.

[@BackToTheFutura]

I am always looking for re-purpose videos just like this one. Mainly I am a gadget fiend and really like seeing videos like this one. Very original and quiet entertaining at the same time...not to mention somewhat useful too! Really enjoyed it, placed a like and I subscribed. Looking forward to more vids, like this one...Cheers!

[@illumencouk]

Your genuine delight in cranking the smartphone into life was worth a Thumbs Up by itself. Thanks for the post. Good work.

[@JaxoEye]

TIP: Your music volume should be 70% of the voice audio level. Music always sound louder.

[@Just.a.girl.doing.her.dharma]

You are speaking my language. I’ve been wanting to find a person that could show me the ropes on reusing stuff that has broke or does not work, but use the parts for new stuff. I find all kind of stuff on the side of road, dumpster diving too. Which I hadn’t been in a while. But something about motors I like. I want to keep vacuuming cleaners motors, fan motors, if it has coil in it and rotates, it just speaks to me. I don’t know anything about motors and generators. But I’m learning. So a alternator is a generator! Simple stuff right now I’m picking up. I hope you have more like these on your channel. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you so so so much! ❤

[@DigitalJeremy]

The joy on your face after completing and testing the phone charger is infectious!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@ftumchgtumch732]

That laugh at the end was just the best, it's so nice to watch such genuine enthusiasm!

[@jamiecanivet247]

Hey Robert, I've just discovered your channel and well mate you are incredible! So many things that can be used to help the grandchildren with school science projects. Keep up the great investigations!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate - thanks for taking the time to post

[@paulregner5335]

That's it. I'm dismantling the old microwave I've been tripping over in my shop for the last two years. Thank you very much for this! 👍

[@alexandrsoldiernetizen162]

Before you start cutting apart cavity magnetrons recall there is super toxic beryllium in the pink stuff in the lead to the tube.

[@billyjackcurtis4680]

Robert's laugh is so genuine it has made me look back at each and everyone of his videos I'm so thankful for your work.

[@ianelley]

It was a pleasure to see the pleasure you got from working the charger ! Nice project , I've scrapped many of these so its nice to see what alternatives I can do with some of the parts !!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

Glad you enjoyed it mate - cheers

[@lorettacaputo6997]

Next, connect a hamster wheel to the hand crank of the charger and let the hamster do the work while you cannabilze more stuff.

[@chelsiesuttle5292]

@@ThinkingandTinkering ³0³3³

[@awizardalso]

I also have an electronics workshop in my basement. I've been building electrical and electronic gadgets, and mechanical gadgets, since I was 10 years old in 1964. Model railroading is what got me interested in electrical things. I've been finding things someone was throwing away, taking it home and removing all the components off the circuit boards and I have quite a collection of parts I can use to make things with. Thanks for the ideas I can use for trashed microwave ovens.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

glad it gave you ideas mate

[@Scyth3934]

i do the same

[@petergambier]

Nicely explained Robert, I found lots of thrown away microwaves which I took to bits for the 2 magnets and the copper and wish I'd seen this film because I put the rest to recycling including those £100 bits off the magnatron. Loved your response when you managed to start charging your phone, hilarious, a genuine pleasure to see.

[@davadoff]

No way does that one capacitor cost or is worth £100… that makes no sense.

[@petergambier]

@@davadoff, fair shout, who knows what things cost but nothing surprises me anymore. As to what I said 2 yeas ago but re-reading the comment I guess the narrator had said the £100 figure because when I typed 'those £100 bits', that figure came from the script and not from my thoughts on electronics costings.

[@davadoff]

@@petergambier yeah you were correct, he said £100 in the video for the capacitor. Maybe he misspoke, but it didn’t seem like it. If any of the bits were worth £100, you could buy new microwaves for £50 each, pull out the bits and sell them for £100. So can’t be true. I guessed he looked on eBay and saw £100 asking price but it doesn’t mean anyone bought any.

[@Aspie_Geek_UK]

The only thing needed now is someway of using it to hold a charge with a capacitor.... wait a min.... didn't he say there was a bit expensive capacitor he took out ;-). This is the kind of thing you can use it to put a voltage into some batteries for emergency use during black outs that are being predicted this winter in the UK. Now where can I find a couple of knackered thrown out microwaves 🤔

[@petergambier]

@@Aspie_Geek_UK , either dumped in the street or try you local dump.

[@ianhennessy3685]

Iv no knowledge of electrics but have become very interested in researching free energy and am finding your videos very interesting and informative. Love how you explain things and you have a good energy when explaining. Really makes it enjoyable to watch,learn and understand. Thankyou for spending your time to do these videos and keep them coming.

[@csonracsonra9962]

😂ITS THE ADS KZbin HAD BEEN RUNNING LATELY ABOUT A HEATER YOU CAN MAKE AT HOME..... DON'T LET THEM WASTE YOUR TIME, 1. FREE ENERGY ISN'T REAL. 2-) ENERGY MORE EFFECIENT OR RELIABLE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE AT THE PLUG, SORRY FRIEND BUT THAT CAN'T BE OBTAINED

[@charellwilliams5771]

The best part of this video for me is the guys smile when he powered up the iPhone. I am a black man from Watts California and I have not had many positive encounters with caucasian males, however, I absolutely feel that this gentleman is a wonderful human being. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@davidwilkins1671]

@@charellwilliams5771 The country needs people of color to speak their truth so plainly more often... as though the truth hasn't been being told from the beginning, over and over, and largely ignored or destroyed, but still - thank you for speaking up.

[@kenl6769]

Good idea to discharge the cap first. If you short it with your finger, involuntary retracting can cause you skin to catch on the sharp edges.

[@a0cdhd]

Yes. I picked up a microwave oven at the local dump a while back. The only thing wrong with it was that the light bulb that you removed at 3:50 was blown. Nothing wrong with the rest of it. But that's the world we live in these days. No one repairs anything. They just throw stuff away and buy new stuff... Two bucks to replace the light bulb as opposed to a couple of hundred for a new microwave.

[@csonracsonra9962]

Couple hundred?

[@stevioAda]

The best I've seen of you is the transformers from microwave . I use it to power a battery drillwith a cord and rectifyer .powerful and cheap

[@owenjoseph6097]

Love this vid. It’s nice to know there are people out there like me! Although you are much more knowledgeable TBH. Keep up the good work

[@moba2k]

His joy is very genuine and easily felt

[@sandmanbub]

Pretty cool Robert. I bet you could mount the charger up to a bicycle so electronic devices could be charged while pedaling around the neighborhood. That would be a great project for any bored kid, looking for something to do during the pandemic. Might make a nice part 2 of this video.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Pandemic? LMFAO

[@retromodernart4426]

@@VndNvwYvvSvv bored kid pedaling around with a mask and a crank generator, LOL

[@truckerhershey7042]

Was thinking almost the same. Hook to waterwheel at the stream and have it charging 24/7

[@Aspie_Geek_UK]

@@retromodernart4426 I dont see what's wrong with encouraging kids to go out more in this day and age instead of sitting in their bedrooms all day playing computer games etc, especially during the pandemic when they have the perfect excuse to say they want to stay in! Yes I know we are supposedly out of the pandemic here in October 2022, but even back in mid 2020 we were allowed to go out to get exercise and cycling to charge a phone is great exercise 😉

[@retromodernart4426]

@@Aspie_Geek_UK I wasn't making fun of the going outside and exercising and getting fresh air part. I was making fun of the 'pandemic' [scamdemic] pathological fear-control religious rituals, such as wearing a mask while exercising or just even walking, alone, outside (that we all know still goes on today in a certain deranged percentage of the population). Regular exercise in fresh air outside is obviously always good, except if one is a victim of injected mRNA infections, as we are now seeing.

[@timothy5403]

I really appreciate your meticulous attitude toward reuse !

[@richbrockmeier3922]

Excellent job building the hand crank phone charger. You could mass produce that and sell as an addition to survival tools/emergency pack. I like it a lot!

[@OMNITEK]

amazing idea actually

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@OMNITEK LOL

[@anthonyjames45]

Brilliant Idea. Charge up batteries as well handle could be water wheel

[@jonnsonsam]

I watch your videos for your scientific knowledge and endeavours.... my wife loves your infectious joy when you make something that works 😂👍

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

That is awesome mate - cheers

[@OsbornIOW]

Love the attitude "You've only got yourself to blame" 🤣😂 Good old school teachings . Love it

[@computerlen]

One of the most interesting videos that I have seen. Thank you.

[@Bran08Eman]

Reminds me of my electronics teacher in high school.Twas the reason I continued studying it and ended up in telecom, where the jobs were. Your hobby speaks to me of a passion long past.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

awesome mate

[@keithking1985]

that was one happy man at the end.. : ) bloody brilliant!!

[@alisonhenry820]

Great laugh at the end, warmed my heart

[@yougeo]

Good lord man you are getting 450 thousand views now! How far you have come. Well done. I have enjoyed watching and supporting you over the years.

[@pintokitkat]

What a breath of fresh air with regard to the health and safety warnings. I get so fed up with the pathetic 'don't sue me if you kill yourself' warnings that infest otherwise interesting channels like this. It makes me proud to be English.

[@tomt4181]

Yes, let natural selection take its course.

[@MortifiedU]

To be fair, if you don’t remind Americans to breath they will sue you.

[@MortifiedU]

To be fair, if you don’t remind Americans to breath they will sue you.

[@lylecoglianese1645]

@@MortifiedU, sure..... Blame Americans for everything!! 😠😡

[@MortifiedU]

@@lylecoglianese1645 lol not blaming American for everything. But have you seen the level of education in some of America..

[@johnberry2877]

I used our old microwave to store the company cellular phone when on call during the weekend . It seems to , because if it’s potential as a Feriday cage, make the phone work itself to death in short order because it cannot get a cellular connection. Therefore the cell never worked when I took it home for my weekend. 👍👍😂 WINNIG! My boss could, and never would, figure it out !

[@tigrlily]

OMG, will you be my cool uncle? LOL. Loved how you truly appreciated the phone charger working. Very interesting. Thanks. Video zooming in a bit more would be really helpful, but you have a great channel.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

I made a rotating powerhead for my saltwater aquarium. Used the turntable motor w/ PWM circuit and swing arm linkage with a cam on the shaft mounted to the pump head. It worked great ! Now they make and sell them everywhere !

[@silverstreetmoto1458]

Excellent video,yer a man after my own heart, throw nothing away, it'll always come in handy ⚙️

[@benjaminfifield8838]

First time seeing you on youtube, instantly one of my top 5 favorite youtubers

[@gregp6123]

Fun to sit and watch. It gets the creative wheels turning:) Thank You!

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

awesome mate - that indeed was the point of the vid - really glad you liked it

[@alunrichards2712]

Loved the way you weren't really expecting the phone charger to work,and the joy on your face when it actually did😂😂😂class 😊😊😊😊. Personally speaking, I've only just got around to putting a 13 amp fuse(uk)into a plug😂😂😂😂,but found this interesting to watch.

[@garrygemmell5676]

Great video your presentation style and humour make it far more interesting! Out here in Slovakia we reuse everything nothing gets thrown away shame the UK is the throwaway society!

[@redbugg99]

Really ... All that ... I don't think no one will spend 2 or 3 hours + to crank and charge a phone .... BUT your enthusiasm and smile explains everything things... I'm glad you are happy ☺️😁 I thought you were going to make a wireless nuke charger

[@alexcorona]

I've made a stick welder with one before, but the most fun(and I've never seen anyone else do) is I made a guitar magnetic pickup with one. The Interfal fan has copper wire perfect to make the coil part, and there's also ceramic magnets inside that work perfect as the pole pieces, I mean they're the correct size and lengths its remarkable. It turned out great and sounded just as good as commercial pieces.

[@bradallen1850]

You're awesome man putting things to use and understanding how it might work. I also play with things building different stuff I'm an auto mechanic 40years plus many. Things that people do can make a difference not only for you but many others keep up the great work really enjoy your enthusiasm

[@davejohnston5158]

Great information and spurring me on to make the semaphore indicators for my old car. I dismantled my first battery powered reel to reel in the mid 60's aged 7. Always liked taking things apart and eventually learned how to put them back together. Learned how to not throw stuff away from my parents and now have a garage full of motors, fans and pumps waiting to be re-purposed. Keep up the good work.

[@bbasmdc]

Laughed out loud at the "it's your own fault" line - brilliant! Many decades ago when I was in an A Level Physics class our teacher was showing us an inductor circuit, pointing at different bits and suddenly he yelps out loud and gets thrown back against the wall as he got a shock. You can imagine there wasn't a single teenage lad in the room that didn't piss himself laughing.

[@jknedubs]

With the gears that were already in the motor you could make a gravity charger like those gravity lights. Hang it from some string somewhere up high, attach a weight like a bag of flour, sit back for a couple of minutes until the flour lowers to the ground, repeat.

[@Romin.777]

Cool idea :))

[@OMNITEK]

thanks for the ideas sir, now time to hit a thrift store for a cheap microwave...really appreciate it

[@kolinevans9127]

Ha ha when I saw you sitting in the circle like that , I pictured this is how we’ll get our phones charged ‘post apocalypse’ For me , like an induction motor, I see a microwave as as much an education device because as one learns more you can keep going back to it and finding more things. Great vid.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate - and to my mind it's all about learning and sparking creativity

[@hey_youtubeim_back2159]

The Bob Ross of gadgetry. I love this guy. So awesome to see the creations with the explanations.

[@chriskeeble]

Thanks Robert! Loved this one. Would be great to know more about the voltage regulator and whether that can also be hacked or created easily (i.e. without buying something)

[@99UnfinishedProjects]

I would like to see this as well

[@davadoff]

What he made probably won’t work. There’s a good chance the voltage regulator he bought will be destroyed sooner or later by voltages above 20-30 volts. It’s expecting to get only 12v from the car. He said he was getting 40v AC or more didn’t he? Cranking it slowly and/or having a big electrolytic capacitor between the bridge rectifier and the voltage regulator should mostly avoid damaging the volt reg with high voltage.

[@radicaldanzero]

Right on sir. I love taking old microwaves apart. I built a "carbon arc Welder" from a M.O.T. I used the plate motor on my outdoor lighthouse to turn an old food can (with a piece cut out) around the light. It looks like the light is rotating at night (it has been running non-stop for about 6 years.) Love the videos. Peace

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

that is awesome mate and you have just given me an idea - cheers!

[@danielbuckner2167]

People here use them to slowly rotate home made and wound fishing rods while they apply epoxy over the hand wound decorative nylon on the rods this keeping the epoxy evenly dispersed until solid.

[@oldkins]

Excellent video, could you show us, using the transformer from the microwave, how to make a induction coil to quickly heat up metal for heat treating.

[@eosdelb]

It's nice to see someone having fun playing with old appliance parts. My girlfriend said, "keep it up old timer." but I am sure you are younger than I.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - cheers mate

[@Tassie-Devil]

Just a thought - while I've never HAD it happen, there's always a chance that the HV capacitor could still hold a deadly charge if mishandled. Might have been good to show how to short the terminals with a screwdriver for those who are unaware or careless, rather than just reaching in blithely. I do generally agree with the concept of 'caveat emptor' - adults absolutely must take responsibility for every project they undertake - but in a sense we're modelling behaviour when we do 'how-to' vids, so I'd probably add that if I were doing one of these.

[@sempertard]

The pulse duration for an HV cap like that is far from deadly unless you have a heart condition or some other ailment. That's not to say it won't hurt like hell and cause you to knock over your lit propane torch etc etc.

[@Tassie-Devil]

@@sempertard Mmm... potentially 2kv from 1uF... I have a lot of respect for that kind of 'pulse' :) Me - I may be getting old, but to an extent I like to do what I can to 'idiot-proof' my interactions with the public. Totally your call though as it's your channel - just making the suggestion.

[@sempertard]

@@Tassie-Devil I totally agree with everything you just said. I guess I was trying to say that it would not be an instant death penalty unlike grabbing the outputs of a 12KV neon sign transformer. I have gotten bit by CRTs (TV picture tubes) etc. Yeah it hurts!! :)

[@sempertard]

@@Tassie-Devil Oh.. To this day I refuse to wear any rings or metal watch bands. ;^)

[@damonsisk4270]

There are bleed resistors built into all the capacitors I've ever pulled out of microwave ovens to help avoid just this issue.

[@CadKor]

such unbridled joy! what a pleasure to behold!

[@MNJay1]

Good learning material. If I had the opportunity, I'd spend hours at your place to pick up those skills. Keep the videos coming.

[@bluefish4064]

Jayhere me too , wouldn’t it be lovely to be so knowledgeable. lovely voice too .

[@Sunnytrailrunner]

WOW, if you were in a MAG prepping group you would be THE MOST valuable member because you’re not only clever, but inquisitive & resourceful as well‼️

[@darrelljacobjr2120]

"There's the high-voltage capacitor right there"...ZZZAAAP!!!! 3:16 lol My favorite is cut the high-voltage winding out of the transformer and wind 4 turns of heavy gauge insulated wire through it, making it produce 2 volts at massive amps for use as a spot welder.

[@r.b.1295]

what gauge

[@therestorationshop]

cool... I believe I speak for others in that we need more detail.

[@darrelljacobjr2120]

Can't remember the gauge, there's a KZbin video tutorial, I'll find it and post the link here.

[@jamesstoffel6835]

I learn something new in each of your videos. Thank you for posting them!

[@mouldykev]

Rob please please take great care with that magnetron ! ! Kev

[@mindaugaskazlauskas5530]

Yes there is some nasty materials if you broke it ant inhale some dust

[@Justin-bd2dg]

@@mindaugaskazlauskas5530 there is?

[@philipvernejules9926]

@@Justin-bd2dg .....beryllium

[@Sas_HeatherC]

Wow ok that I didn't know thanks

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

people say this stuff mate - most of the time it's just fake news or misunderstood reports and when you look into it you find they spoon fed a load of rats kilos of the stuff and surprise surprise a few died. It does cause beryllium disease but you need to be working with it every day and machining it to create dust - pulling the magnets off is going to do - well - nothing

[@N0body247]

Starts @9:20 everything before it, is breakdown and explaining of parts recovered, for those looking for the meat of it. Great video.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

glad you liked it mate

[@larencegagland506]

Got a Montgomery ward 1.5 cu.ft-700W, after High School in 1976, damn thing won't stop working!👍👍👍👀

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

A lot of the older appliances last longer because they didn't have electronic controls. When things did go wrong with them, they were easy to fix with parts that were readily available. The old clothes washers and dryers lasted for what seemed like *forever* and when they did quit working, it was often something simple like a drive belt that needed replacing. The same can't be said for the new units with the electronic controls. The controller board is often the part the goes bad and the cost of a new board is probably as much as the unit is worth, so people just throw them away and buy a new one. The same goes for refrigerators these days. I have a small refrigerator (about 30" tall) that I had while living in the dorms in grad school and it just has mechanical controls (i.e. doesn't even have an auto-defrost). After a few decades, that thing is still working as good as new and I still use it to keep beer cool in my workshop. There has been quite a few cans of beer that have made their way through that refrigerator -- not much else though. :)

[@1crazypj]

@@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire It's also because appliance manufacturers hadn't caught on to built in obsolescence at the time. I remember reading an article about John Deere tractors almost going belly up because they lasted too long. Taking a look at automotive industry, 10~12 years seemed OK for agricultural equipment with repairs becoming more common and more expensive after that

[@lagunafishing]

A much better invention than the wind up radio!

[@Rev22-21]

Ya know....one day info. like this could be very handy and in high demand. No, not for cell phones per say...but rather charging batteries for latterns, maybe a transceiver. Thanks Robert, many one day may wish they'd paid closer attention.

[@keithking1985]

Cheers Robert, my friend. With your Infectous laugh 😂. GREAT!!!

[@baraBober]

When you're on quarantine and you you're so bored that you start taking everything in your house apart... xD

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - it's putting it all back together that is the challenge lol

[@Wilson84KS]

@Fone Zombie Really? This story is even cheaper than the politics-show, the biggest story is the story of god which brought property and slavery with it, but still not sure if the story of god is bigger than the story of money, the value of colored paper and old metal which makes people massmurder the own species, around 6.5 billion in the last around 4-5 thousands years. The corona story is just another try to rescue the monetary system, two wold wars, growing humanity to mindless consumers, oveproduction and planned obslescence, destroying the planet within a couple of decades, nothing helped so far to make this system work for longer than 20-30 years, but it is just not possible, because nothing is endless, but money is very important, because it makes theft and corruption ways easier and the true scum powerful and important, while it makes the rest of life to cattle for the scum, the dirt on the surface of the mass. The dead will follow afterwards through vaccines and a global "depression", when the system gets another reset.

[@csmith1696]

@@ThinkingandTinkering DOH! I forgot that there was a step #2.

[@beavonator]

Sasha Z I was collecting these a few years before this just for the transformers and other bits, of use

[@linmal2242]

@@Wilson84KS Well, we have to keep the system cranking; this cov19 was just a temporary spike in the wheel. Normal broadcasting will resume shortly.

[@mehere6865]

Just discovered your channel, I love the no nonsense northern approach you advocate but that's not the reason why i stayed, I noticed right away your heavily tannin stained mug on the bench, the mark of a true engineer! subscribed immediately😃

[@philkfoto]

Hi, just been introduced to your channel with this episode. I am a firm believer if it has stopped working, try and fix it, if not possible save the parts. I have literally lots of circuit boards stuffed full of components and they do come in very useful. Along with an old pencil case with all the screw, washers and nuts from electrical items. I have made a car alarm for use during this lockdown running off a power bank. Car battery has an isolator on neg terminal to keep it from discharging. Shall enjoy watching your vlogs.

[@martinlicht1969]

Love to see you laugh, thanks, it's pleasantly contagious and makes it all worth while.

[@brucey39]

The transformer weld can be broken by tapping with a hammer .I have scrapped hundreds of those for the copper .

[@francoisguyot9770]

Hi Robert, I just learned about homopolar generators from watching this videos. The CNC lathe electromagnet could also be used for a standing bench drill piece and shaving holder.

[@andybaker2443]

Hey Robert, I noticed the international shortage of PPE especially when using the angle grinder. Looking forward to your next video. Keep safe - Andy.

[@nathanw851]

Ooh, that made me wince. I enjoy a bit of recklessness, but I've been near too many exploding discs to not wear gogs with a grinder. Eek.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

folks are far too worried about their own safety mate - if I hurt myself I have only one person to blame - me lol

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

35 years working with these things - never an exploding disk - what on earth are you doing with them? don't you check them for wear before using them?

[@nathanw851]

@@ThinkingandTinkering I know loads of guys that don't wear goggles. Your choice, as you say, just nor for me. I'll happily handle acid without gloves, but not grind without goggles. Using .8mm slitter discs and user error caused by lack of concentration is the only time I've had them explode. My fault entirely, but unpleasant all the same.

[@mcflapper7591]

@@ThinkingandTinkering may be. but others may suffer too, imagine you're hurt, your family is depending on you. what now? If you've got family, that is.. ;)

[@danielmiller2886]

I came looking for comments about not wearing glasses when using an angle grinder, but I found none! Amazing! Either people are learning to keep their mouth shut (not likely) or the comments are managed. Either way, I really enjoy your videos!

[@electrofly23]

the music is way too loud when you time-warp

[@wuddadid]

Also, it just doesn't suit the channel in my honest opinion. It's a wee bit cringey.

[@geradkavanagh8240]

Yeah, had headphones on and microwaved my brains when the music started.

[@GofuKyersen]

Ive found myself humming it when taking stuff apart.. Proper earworm

[@bobcrochit4427]

I just hit the mute button at that point and speed it up

[@tahoma6889]

Indeed it is. Break music should never be greater than accumulative average sum of the narration proceeding it. And should be -50% db of it!

[@nemoexnuqual3643]

Hahaha! Reminds me of my youth. We seldom had money so we fixed things using broken or scavenged bits. I still have my first car, it’s clutch linkage is made from rotor-tiller tines and some round stock, it’s carb has a return spring from a screen door going to the firewall, it has a driveline that fit off a scrapyard truck, and so on.

[@johnmorrison6814]

Just one thing with the videos. The 'speedup sections music' is much louder than your voice. I turn it up to hear what you're saying then have to jump for the volume when those sections hit. It does give me a little exercise though.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

Sorry about that - I'll mute it down next time

[@tomaskey6844]

Robert Murray-Smith thank you Sir!! Other than the volume difference, I really love your videos and am learning a lot and appreciate you making them.

[@mcdowell356]

John Morrison Yes I have to agree .... Pretty intense to say the least

[@thomastallis7245]

Currently watching this at 0141 in the morning. The music was rather startling HAAHH!!!

[@peterdeacon4628]

@@thomastallis7245 Same here just after midnight and woke all the family up and they are still calling me an idiot .. No noise or what people call music is better

[@samuelbailey1888]

The Syncronous motor from some Microwave ovens are 240V. Great stuff Robert.

[@Ra-zor]

If the protection diode fails (and they do! replaced lots) the capacitor stores a charge of 2500v at 10 amps, thats not a 'ouch that hurts' like mains voltage does (and could kill you), thats a 'your dead' guaranteed, and that capacitor can stay charged for weeks. The microwave is called the most deadly electrical appliance in your house for a reason! Don't just rip a microwave apart without ALWAYS discharging the capacitors first! You'r just a fool asking for death if you dont... Also Magnetrons contain Thorium which is radioactive and causes cancer, never crack the ceramic ring (pink /blue or white colour usually) at the end of the Magnetron...

[@chrismurphy7324]

the cap has an internal discharge resistor , never had one hold a charge and maybe only 1000 volts at 1 amp . the insulators are beryllium and pose no issues unless you grind them

[@mikesmith2102]

I like your editing where I don't have to watch you do....every.....little....thing. You say take it apart like this and "POOF" it's apart. Thank you for that.

[@mikekrening7327]

Is there a way to make one of these little Motors variable speed? I would like to make a small turntable. Thanks

[@rjh1226]

Use a variable control resistor , potentiometer it may be known as. Let less or more voltage in and amperage through by turning the knob

[@cjimmer4877]

Unbelievable! I really enjoyed your video. You are the kind of guy I want around during the zombie apocalypse.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@johanponin1360]

Graphene scientists discovers hand powered induction generation and exudes in bliss.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - it's the little things mate

[@johanponin1360]

@@ThinkingandTinkering I know, I was mostly joking. I still remember the first time I powered an LED... I hope you do well with the flash graphene experiment

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

@@johanponin1360 cheers mate

[@johanponin1360]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Hey, since I had lots of MWO parts lying and nice rectifier ICs I finally made your handcrank generator ! hand powered light, so cool. ps: can't wait for the flash joule graphene experiment (I stashed all them HV capacitors just for this)

[@andybawn1]

Thank you enjoyed that, we waste far too much these days. I've had an old microwave set aside to make a spot welder but now I have quite a few more projects to do with it :) hope this lock down lasts for a while, way too busy to actually go back to work lol

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

lol - i'm feeling the same mate

[@andybawn1]

@@ThinkingandTinkering Way too many 'Honey do's' at the moment, you know honey do this, honey do that. I'll be glad to get back to work for the rest 😂

[@georgek418]

Great video! You are mad as a hatter sir, but that's how great inventions happen, people tinkering in their basements or garages.

[@CharlesGoodwins420]

Not close enough to see wtf is happening!!!

[@Jimmie16]

When it comes to electronics and indeed electricity I'm a dunce totally ignorant, but I still love watching your videos, so thanks for doing them I dare say I'll learn something useful.

[@nigeljohnson9820]

You do know that the high voltage insulation material used in a magnetron is a beryllium ceramic? When removing the magnets, it is very easy to be contaminated with beryllium dust if the insulators are damaged. I am sure you are aware of the toxicity of the element. There should be beryllium warning labels on the magnetron assembly.

[@troygrant5418]

Nigel Johnson, you are correct , nasty stuff..

[@carmo9693]

I have made stuff out of old stuff but you are out there in a good way, love the accent too.

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

cheers mate

[@kreynolds1123]

Yes it was rice university that did flash graphene. At About 400v zap 7.2 kilojoules per gram over 200 milliseconds i think. Thats a lot of energy and i think to do the same 1 with gram at 400 volts you are going to need about 0.1 farads. A typical microwave High Voltage Capacitor, 2100 VAC, .85 uF is orders of magnetude too small for 1 gram of graphene. I wonder how much capacitance one can get with a capacitor made with aluminum sheets between the pages of an oil soaked phone book. That should be able to store 400v. Who uses them these days? Upcycled phone book. 😁

[@philipvernejules9926]

.........the phone book is a good suggestion. Oddly enough Robert has already exceeded the capacitor performance required in a now 7 year old video . He experimentally constructed a bopet sheet a4 size dielectric graphene plate capacitor with impressive performance. 400 volts is nothing for bopet sheets... ..caution. ......oh, don't forget that if the microwave capacitors were charged to a scary 2000 volts that their energy dumped would be 25 times greater than at 400 volts , but they'll happily tolerate 3000 volts meaning 50 times more energy dumped. If using a mechanical contactor switch for discharge then hearing protection is essential. It really needs a suitable hard to obtain semiconductor scr or triac trigger cos about 50% of energy is lost vaporising the mechanical switch if used ....it's a heluva lot of amps in a millisecond ; I wonder if it would produce a short range emp pulse strong enough to fry a smartphone nearby ?

[@ThinkingandTinkering]

nice idea mate - that got the wheels turning

[@stoatrepublic]

@@ThinkingandTinkering By that one must conclude that Robert will be driving around looking for his next haul... ...when I think about all the electronics that end up at the Council Dump and loading into containers it sickens me.

[@linmal2242]

@@stoatrepublic ...and they get pulled apart by some poor children in a tip in Bangladesh.! Who roast the bits over open fires and breathe in the fumes. Still, the west did all those things decades ago, and lost a few souls in the process. Life is/was cheap. Progress.?

[@paulmathias1908]

You are amazing Good Sir. I’m hooked on your videos. Your Knowledge base is incredible, keep up the good work. Fantastic to watch and listen to👍👍👍

[@brettmoore3194]

Be careful of the beryllium mate

[@mottthehoople693]

If You dont cut it and breath the dust its safe

[@itstrysten]

I wouldn't even touch it.

[@michaellocke628]

There was so much microwave energy in that thing it blacked out the camera when you unsealed the box... hahaha